Soldier of the Sea Distillery sits on East South Avenue in Comer, Georgia, a small town about an hour northeast of Atlanta. Founded by military veteran Mark Hester, who served multiple tours overseas before returning home with a passion for craft distilling, the operation opened in 2018 after years of planning and navigating Georgia’s evolving distillery laws. Hester partnered with local business owner and fellow bourbon enthusiast David Thompson to turn their shared vision into reality. The distillery operates out of a converted industrial building that they’ve transformed into a functional production space and tasting room, focusing primarily on bourbon and rye whiskey production using traditional methods combined with their own innovations. The name pays homage to Hester’s military background, specifically his time serving with fellow soldiers who shared stories and spirits during deployment. After returning stateside, he spent several years learning the craft through apprenticeships and formal distilling education before committing to opening his own operation. Thompson brought business acumen and local connections that helped navigate the regulatory landscape and establish distribution relationships. Together, they’ve built something that honors both military service and Georgia’s growing craft spirits scene, with a philosophy centered on quality production rather than rapid expansion. Visitors find a straightforward operation that doesn’t try to be something it’s not. The space feels more like a working distillery than a tourist attraction, which appeals to people genuinely interested in the production process. You can taste their current releases, learn about their approach to mashing and fermentation, and understand why they chose certain grain bills for their recipes. The founders are often on-site and happy to discuss their journey from concept to operation, sharing both successes and challenges they’ve encountered along the way.